Thai Nat'l Assembly Kills Bill to Lift Ban on Pornography

BANGKOK, Thailand—A proposal to lift a national ban on pornography in Thailand was killed on Wednesday before the country's parliament, the Thai National Assembly, reports the English-language news outlet The Bangkok Post. The bill was sponsored by Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, MP from Bangkok, who is also a member of the Move Forward Party (MFP). MFP would legalize the adult entertainment industry and the sale of sex toys. The bill failed to clear the first reading when it was introduced yesterday in the House, reports the Post. The proposal would amend Section 287 of the Criminal Code, which bans virtually all types of adult entertainment, including adult movies. Such a proposal would amend the criminal code. Currently, individuals under 20 are restricted from participating in the production of adult content. MFP members of parliament argued in support of the bill. They liken the ongoing ban on porn to restricting the country's citizens and their freedom. Sorapa Sriprat, MP, of Saraburi, said the law banning porn needs to change as Thailand's leaders fail to accept this reality is built upon hypocrisy. Many other lawmakers voiced their support for the MFP proposal, but this wasn't enough for the legislation to proceed in any meaningful way. Despite being a popular destination for sex tourists, sex work is still considered taboo for swaths of Thai society. For example, prostitution isn't illegal, but solicitation is if it is carried out “openly and shamelessly.” Online porn remains outlawed.  Freedom House, a global human rights non-governmental organization, rates Thailand as “partly free” and maintains that the government’s ongoing internet censorship violates basic human rights.